Exemption Criteria
| 1. A Level Courses (Old Syllabus) |
| 2. A Level Courses (New Syllabus) |
| 3. AO/O Level Courses |
| 4. Courses From Local Polytechnics |
| 5. SAT |
| 6. International Baccalaureate |
Exemptions for freshmen are normally granted by the Dean's Office prior to the commencement of SMU studies. Depending on the grades attained, students holding the same qualifications may be granted different exemptions.
The total number of exemptions that may be granted to any student is capped at 6 course units with effect from AY2008-09 (due to introduction of Academic Writing course). Further, the total number of exemptions that may be granted to any student in the area of General Education is capped at 3 course units.
The exemption policy for students with GCE A/AO/O Level, students with diploma from a polytechnic in Singapore as well as students with SAT/IB is indicated below. Exemptions for students with other types of qualifications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Exemption for Internship - partial or full - may be granted to polytechnic students (only) if they have completed a relevant business attachment during their polytechnic study. Such exemptions are not automatically granted. Polytechnic students should submit a copy of their internship certificate as well as supporting documents on the job scope to the Dean's Office for evaluation. No exemption for Community Service would be granted. (Note: SIS does NOT grant exemption for Internship).
1. A LEVEL COURSES (OLD SYLLABUS)
Table A |
|||
Code |
Grade Required |
Possible Exemption |
|
| Language Category | |||
General Paper |
8005 |
B3 and above |
Academic Writing |
All Others |
- |
- |
No exemption |
| Mathematics Category | |||
Mathematics C |
9205 |
Pass |
Calculus |
Mathematics |
9233 |
Pass |
Calculus |
Further Mathematics |
9234 |
Pass |
Calculus |
| Science Category | |||
| Physics | 9246/ 9248 | A | 2 courses in GES |
| Chemistry | 9251/ 9258 | A | 2 courses in GES |
| B | 1 course in GES | ||
| Biology | 9283/ 9284 | A | 2 courses in GES |
| B | 1 course in GES | ||
| Humanities Category | |||
| English Literature | 9008 | A | 2 courses in GEA |
| B | 1 course in GEA | ||
| History | 9021/ 9067 | A | 2 courses in GEA |
| B | 1 course in GEA | ||
| Geography | 9051 | A | 2 courses in GEA |
| B | 1 course in GEA | ||
| Economic & Public Affairs | 9072 | A or B | Introductory Economics |
| Economics | 9079 | A or B | Introductory Economics |
| Commercial & Technical Category | |||
Computing |
9349 |
A |
2 courses in GES |
B |
1 course in GES |
||
| Geometrical & Mechanical Drawing | 9351 | - | No exemption |
| Principles of Accounting | 9372 | - | No exemption |
| Management of Business | 9379 | - | No exemption |
| Other Category | |||
| Art | 9300 | A | 2 courses in GEA |
| B | 1 course in GEA | ||
| Art & Design | 9288/ 9294/ 9295 | A | 2 courses in GEA |
| B | 1 course in GEA | ||
| Divinity | 9011 | - | No exemption |
| Music | 9391/ 9392 | A | 2 courses in GEA |
| B | 1 course in GEA | ||
| Theatre Studies & Drama | 9377 | A | 2 courses in GEA |
| B | 1 course in GEA | ||
| Local Category (non-English) | |||
| Higher Chinese | 9121 | - | No exemption |
| Chinese | 9242 | - | No exemption |
| Islamic Law | 9018 | - | No exemption |
| Islamic Theology | 9019 | - | No exemption |
| Malay | 9102 | - | No exemption |
| Higher Malay | 9113 | - | No exemption |
| Higher Tamil | 9013 | - | No exemption |
| Tamil | 9103 | - | No exemption |
For LLB students ONLY:
Table B |
|||
| Course | Code | Grade Required | Possible Exemption |
| Science Category | |||
| Physics | 9246/ 9248 | A or B | Introduction to Physical Science |
| Chemistry | 9251/ 9258 | A or B | Introduction to Physical Science |
| Biology | 9283/ 9284 | A or B | Introduction to Physical Science |
Note: LLB double degree students would be given exemptions for those courses under their secondary degree, if they meet the exemption criteria listed in Table A.
2. A LEVEL COURSES (NEW SYLLABUS)
2.1 Courses Offered by MOE
For students who have taken H2 and H3 courses, the total number of exemptions per subject area that may be granted to any student is capped at 2 course units. For example, a student who has obtained ‘A' for H2 Physics and ‘Distinction' for H3 Essentials of Modern Physics will receive a total of 2 course exemptions in General Education - Science. Similarly, a student who has obtained ‘B' for H2 Biology and ‘Merit' for H3 Proteomics will receive a total of 2 course exemptions in General Education - Science.
Table C |
||||
Course |
Code |
Level |
Grade Required |
Possible Exemption |
| Languages | ||||
General Paper |
8806 |
H1 |
A or B |
Academic Writing |
All Others |
- |
- |
- |
No exemption |
| Mathematics | ||||
| Mathematics Mathematics Mathematics |
8863 9740 9810 |
H1 H2 H3 |
- E and above Pass and above |
No exemption for Calculus ) Calculus ) ) |
| Sciences | ||||
| Physics Physics Essentials of Modern Physics |
8866 9745 9811 |
H1 H2 H3 |
A or B A in H2 or Distinction in H3 B in H2 or Merit in H3 |
1 course in GES 2 courses in GES 1 course in GES |
| Chemistry Chemistry Pharmaceutical Chemistry |
8872 9746 9812 |
H1 H2 H3 |
A or B A in H2 or Distinction in H3 B in H2 or Merit in H3 |
1 course in GES 2 courses in GES 1 course in GES |
| Biology Biology Proteomics |
8875 9747 9815 |
H1 H2 H3 |
A or B A in H2 or Distinction in H3 B in H2 or Merit in H3 |
1 course in GES 2 courses in GES 1 course in GES |
| Business | ||||
Principles of Accounting |
9755 |
H2 |
- |
No exemption |
Management of Business |
9756 |
H2 |
- |
No exemption |
| Humanities | ||||
| Economics Economics Economics |
8816 9732 9808 |
H1 H2 H3 |
A A or B Distinction or Merit |
) ) Introductory Economics ) |
|
Knowledge and Inquiry (taken in place of GP) |
9759 | H2 | A or B | Academic Writing AND 1 course in GEA |
| Literature in English Literature in English Literature in English |
8810 9725 9805 |
H1 H2 H3 |
A or B A in H2 or Distinction in H3 B in H2 or Merit in H3 |
1 course in GEA 2 courses in GEA 1 course in GEA |
| Geography Geography Geography |
8812 9730 9806 |
H1 H2 H3 |
A or B A in H2 or Distinction in H3 B in H2 or Merit in H3 |
1 course in GEA 2 courses in GEA 1 course in GEA |
| History History History |
8814 9731 9807 |
H1 H2 H3 |
A or B A in H2 or Distinction in H3 B in H2 or Merit in H3 |
1 course in GEA 2 courses in GEA 1 course in GEA |
| China Studies in English China Studies in English |
8817 9733 |
H1 H2 |
A or B A B |
1 course in GEA 2 courses in GEA 1 course in GEA |
| Other Subjects | ||||
Project Work |
8809 |
H1 |
- |
No exemption |
| Theatre Studies and Drama | 9726 | H2 | A B |
2 courses in GEA 1 course in GEA |
| Music Music |
9753 9819 |
H2 H3 |
A in H2 or Distinction in H3 B in H2 or Merit in H3 |
2 courses in GEA 1 course in GEA |
| Computing | 9754 | H2 | A B |
2 courses in GES 1 course in GES |
| Art Art Art |
8879 9750 9818 |
H1 H2 H3 |
A or B A in H2 or Distinction in H3 B in H2 or Merit in H3 |
1 course in GEA 2 courses in GEA 1 course in GEA |
| Local Subjects | ||||
| Chinese Language Chinese Language and Literature Chinese Language and Literature |
8633 9556 9901 |
H1 H2 H3 |
- A in H2 or Distinction in H3 B in H2 or Merit in H3 |
No exemption 2 courses in GEA 1 course in GEA |
| History (Chinese) History (Chinese) |
8651 9564 |
H1 H2 |
A or B A B |
1 course in GEA 2 courses in GEA 1 course in GEA |
| China Studies (Chinese) China Studies (Chinese) |
8639 9562 |
H1 H2 |
A or B A B |
1 course in GEA 2 courses in GEA 1 course in GEA |
| General Studies in Chinese | 8642 | H1 | A or B | 1 course in GEA |
| Malay Language Malay Language and Literature Malay Language and Literature |
8635 9558 9921 |
H1 H2 H3 |
- A in H2 or Distinction in H3 B in H2 or Merit in H3 |
No exemption 2 courses in GEA 1 course in GEA |
| Tamil Language Tamil Language and Literature Tamil Language and Literature |
8637 9560 9941 |
H1 H2 H3 |
- A in H2 or Distinction in H3 B in H2 or Merit in H3 |
No exemption 2 courses in GEA 1 course in GEA |
For LLB students ONLY:
Table D |
||||
Course |
Code |
Level |
Grade Required |
Possible Exemption |
| Sciences | ||||
| Physics Physics Essentials of Modern Physics |
8866 |
H1 |
A or B A or B Distinction or Merit |
) ) Introduction to Physical Science ) |
| Chemistry Chemistry Pharmaceutical Chemistry |
8872 9746 9812 |
H1 H2 H3 |
A or B A or B Distinction or Merit |
) ) Introduction to Physical Science ) |
Biology |
8875 |
H1 |
A or B A or B Distinction or Merit |
) ) Introduction to Physical Science ) |
Note: LLB double degree students would be given exemptions for those courses under their secondary degree, if they meet the exemption criteria listed in Table C.
2.2 Courses Offered by Local Universities
Students who have taken H3 courses offered by NUS/NTU/SMU will be deemed to have taken the corresponding H3 courses offered by MOE, and are subjected to the same subject area limit as the corresponding H3 courses offered by MOE (refer to section 3.1). For example, a student who has obtained ‘A' for H2 Physics and ‘Distinction' for H3 Contemporary Physics (NTU) will receive a total of 2 course exemptions in General Education - Science. Similarly, a student who has obtained ‘B' for H2 Biology and ‘Merit' for H3 Science Research (NUS) will receive a total of 2 course exemptions in General Education - Science.
2.2.1 Courses Offered by NUS
| Course | Corresponding H3 Subject | Minimum Grade | Possible Exemption |
| Mathematics & Science | |||
| Molecular Genetics | Biology |
Distinction Merit |
2 course in GES 1 course in GES |
| Biodiversity | Biology |
Distinction Merit |
2 course in GES 1 course in GES |
| Essential Physical Chemistry | Chemistry |
Distinction Merit |
2 course in GES 1 course in GES |
| Modern Physics | Physics |
Distinction Merit |
2 course in GES 1 course in GES |
| Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics | - |
- | No exemption |
| Linear Algebra | - |
- |
No exemption |
| NUS-MOE Science Research | Any Science Subject |
Distinction Merit |
2 course in GES 1 course in GES |
| NUS-A*STAR-VJC Science Research | Any Science Subject |
Distinction Merit |
2 course in GES 1 course in GES |
| NUS-A*STAR-NJC Science Research | Any Science Subject |
Distinction Merit |
2 course in GES 1 course in GES |
| Humanities & the Arts | |||
| Managerial Economics | Economics |
Merit |
Introductory Economics |
| Geopolitics: War and Peace | History |
Distinction Merit |
2 course in GEA 1 course in GEA |
| Economy and Space | Geography |
Distinction Merit |
2 course in GEA 1 course in GEA |
| Urban Land Use and Development | Geography |
Distinction Merit |
2 course in GEA 1 course in GEA |
| Literary Criticism | Literature in English | Distinction Merit |
2 course in GEA 1 course in GEA |
| NUS-MOE Humanities & Soc Sci Research | Any Humanities Subject |
Distinction Merit |
2 course in GEA 1 course in GEA |
2.2.2 Courses Offered by NTU
| Course | Corresponding H3 Subject | Minimum Grade | Possible Exemption |
| Mathematics & Science | |||
| Contemporary Physics | Physics |
Distinction Merit |
2 course in GES 1 course in GES |
| Numbers & Matrices | - |
- |
No exemption |
| Semiconductor Physics & Devices | Physics |
Distinction Merit |
2 course in GES 1 course in GES |
2.2.3 Courses Offered by SMU
Course |
Corresponding H3 Subject |
Minimum Grade |
Possible Exemption |
| Humanities & the Arts | |||
| Game Theory and Competition | - |
Merit |
1 course in Economics Major OR 1 course in GEA |
3. AO/O LEVEL COURSES
3.1 AO Level Courses
| Course | Grade Required | Possible Exemption |
| Additional Mathematics | B3 | Calculus |
3.2 O Level Courses
| Course | Grade Required | Possible Exemption |
| Additional Mathematics | B3 | Calculus |
4. COURSES FROM LOCAL POLYTECHNICS
| Diploma | Possible Exemption | Note |
| Diploma with Merit | Calculus | Depends on specific poly course(s) & results |
| Introductory Economics | Depends on specific poly course(s) & results | |
| 2 courses in GES | - | |
| 1 course in TE | - | |
| Diploma with No Merit | Calculus | Depends on specific poly course(s) & results |
| Introductory Economics | Depends on specific poly course(s) & results | |
| 1 course in GES | - |
For LLB students ONLY:
| Diploma | Possible Exemption | Note |
| Diploma with Merit | Introduction to Physical Science | - |
5. SAT
| Version | Score Required | Possible Exemption |
| Old SAT | 660 and above for Verbal | Academic Writing |
| New SAT | 1210 and above for combined score for Critical Reading and Writing | Academic Writing |
Note : For polytechnic or IB students who have taken SAT, only those who meet the minimum score under the new SAT can be granted exemption in Academic Writing.
6. International Baccalaureate
| Course | Grade Required | Possible Exemption |
| English A1 (Standard Level) | 7 | Academic Writing |
| English A1 (Higher Level) | 6 or 7 | Academic Writing |
| English B | - | No Exemption |
| Theory of Knowledge (TOK) | A | Academic Writing |
